The long-anticipated departure of A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles has officially materialised, with the star wide receiver now bound for the New England Patriots. This move, speculated about throughout the offseason, leaves the Eagles to assess the compensation received for a player who was instrumental in their Super Bowl triumph. News broke on Monday, per Adam Schefter, confirming Brown’s trade to New England. The Eagles will receive a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick in exchange for the three-time Pro Bowl receiver.
This transaction prompts an examination of how the Eagles’ return package for Brown stacks up against other significant wide receiver trades in recent NFL history.
A.J. Brown’s Trade Package: A Closer Look
While Brown’s 2025 season saw him record 1,003 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, a slight dip from his stellar 1,456 yards and seven touchdowns in 2023, he remained an elite talent. This was despite a slower start to the season and periods where the Eagles’ offence struggled. The return for this production is a 2028 first-round selection and a 2027 fifth-round pick.
To contextualise this deal, let’s compare it to other high-profile wide receiver trades involving star players over the past few years.
Recent Star Wide Receiver Trades: A Comparative Analysis
Here’s a breakdown of notable receiver trades, the compensation received, and the player’s most recent statistics at the time of the deal.
Jaylen Waddle – March 2026
- Denver Broncos Received:
- WR Jaylen Waddle
- 2026 4th-round pick (No. 111)
- Miami Dolphins Received:
- 2026 1st-round pick (No. 30)
- 2026 3rd-round pick (No. 94)
- 2026 4th-round pick (No. 130)
Waddle’s 2025 season statistics:
64 receptions, 910 yards, 6 TDs in 16 games
Prior to the A.J. Brown trade, the most significant wide receiver deal of the offseason involved Jaylen Waddle, a move that caught many by surprise. The Dolphins and Broncos agreed to terms that sent Waddle, along with Miami’s 2026 fourth-round pick, to Denver in exchange for a late first-round pick, a third-round pick, and Denver’s fourth-rounder.
The Dolphins strategically used these picks to move up to No. 27 in the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting cornerback Chris Johnson. At pick No. 94, they aimed to find a potential Waddle successor in receiver Chris Bell, and at No. 130, they drafted Texas edge rusher Trey Moore. Denver, meanwhile, used their 111th overall selection on Boise State offensive tackle Kage Casey.
When comparing Waddle to Brown, Waddle is a year younger but arguably less proven as a primary, go-to receiver. While he achieved a career-high 1,356 receiving yards in 2022, his subsequent numbers haven’t quite reached that peak. This could be partly attributed to playing alongside Tyreek Hill and the Miami offence experiencing a decline in recent years. In Denver, Waddle’s talents are expected to be more prominently featured, positioning him as one of the NFL’s premier receivers.
Both Brown and Waddle commanded a first-round pick in their respective trades. However, Waddle’s package was slightly more substantial, including third and fourth-round selections. This can be attributed to his younger age and potentially the leverage Miami held in negotiations compared to the Eagles, who were dealing with a player seeking a change of scenery.
DJ Moore – March 2026
- Buffalo Bills Received:
- WR DJ Moore
- 2026 5th-round pick (No. 165)
- Chicago Bears Received:
- 2026 2nd-round pick (No. 60)
Moore’s 2025 season statistics:
50 receptions, 682 yards, 6 TDs in 17 games
Another notable receiver trade this offseason saw DJ Moore move from the Chicago Bears to the Buffalo Bills. Moore, who had fallen out of favour with the Bears, is now set to become a key offensive weapon for Buffalo.
The Bears secured a second-round pick from the Bills in exchange for Moore and a fifth-round selection. This was widely considered a significant price for Buffalo to pay. While Moore boasts four 1,000-yard seasons and has been a consistently underrated player throughout his career, he is now 29 years old, coming off a career-low 682 receiving yards, and is not quite the elite WR1 that some other teams possess.
In Buffalo, Moore is expected to be an immediate upgrade for Josh Allen’s receiving corps. However, whether he was worth the No. 60 overall pick – which the Bears later traded to Tennessee, subsequently trading back to select tight end Sam Roush and centre Sam Hecht – remains a point of debate.
Ultimately, A.J. Brown was always destined to command a higher price on the trade market than DJ Moore. Not only is Brown younger, but he has also demonstrated greater productivity over his entire career.
George Pickens – May 2025
- Dallas Cowboys Received:
- WR George Pickens
- 2027 6th-round pick
- Pittsburgh Steelers Received:
- 2026 3rd-round pick
- 2027 5th-round pick
Pickens’ 2024 season statistics:
59 receptions, 900 yards, 3 TDs in 14 games
After an inconsistent tenure in Pittsburgh, the Steelers traded George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys last May. In return, Pittsburgh received a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick, while also sending out a 2027 sixth-rounder. To date, the trade appears to have been a success for Dallas, with Pickens emerging as one of the NFL’s leading receivers, racking up 1,429 receiving yards in 2025. The 2026 third-round pick acquired by Pittsburgh was used to select Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
Pickens’ statistical output, as one of the league’s promising young wideouts, did not fully align with the trade return. Contributing factors to the Steelers’ decision to trade Pickens included off-the-field concerns and team-related issues, which may have depressed his market value, despite his youth and potential. The primary asset received by Pittsburgh was a third-round pick, which they invested in Allar, whom they hope will develop into their franchise quarterback.
Once again, Brown’s trade value was inherently higher than Pickens’. While Brown also faced some scrutiny for his public persona and social media presence with the Eagles, he was a far more established star prior to his trade.
D.K. Metcalf – March 2025
- Pittsburgh Steelers Received:
- WR D.K. Metcalf
- 2025 6th-round pick
- Seattle Seahawks Received:
- 2025 2nd-round pick
- 2025 7th-round pick
Metcalf’s 2024 season statistics:
66 receptions, 992 yards, 5 TDs in 15 games
Last offseason, the Seattle Seahawks traded D.K. Metcalf and a sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for second- and seventh-round selections. At the time, Metcalf was still regarded as one of the NFL’s premier offensive threats. However, Seattle’s reluctance to meet his contract demands ultimately led to the deal.
This trade proved highly beneficial for the Seahawks, who went on to win the Super Bowl without Metcalf, as Jaxon Smith-Njigba experienced a significant breakout season. The Seahawks also utilised the Steelers’ second-round pick in 2025 to move up and select safety Nick Emmanwori, who played a crucial role in their championship run.
Brown and Metcalf, both 28 years old, share some career similarities. Both are elite receivers capable of winning one-on-one matchups, possessing imposing physical frames. However, both have also had their share of off-field incidents. Despite these parallels, Brown has consistently been a more productive player than Metcalf. This difference in production is reflected in their respective trade returns, with the Eagles securing a first-round pick for Brown, while the Seahawks received a second-round pick for Metcalf.
